Despite losing back-to-back games on the road Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is adamant he won’t change tack when it comes to playing style.
Despite losing back-to-back games on the road Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is adamant he won-t change tack when it comes to playing style.
For the last few weeks Herbert has put his faith in players with plenty of pace, and after the 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night he vowed to continue down that road.
For most of the first half the Phoenix, without the suspended Tyler Boyd and Manny Muscat, played neat, controlled football and had 53 per cent of possession at the break.
Unfortunately, as has happened in four of the last five matches, poor defending cost the Wellington side a goal right on halftime.
Former Phoenix player Marco Rojas put in a cross that the unmarked Marcos Flores turned into goal.
Six minutes into the second spell it was Rojas who tapped in from close range after a shot came back off the upright.
The Phoenix lost their way for a while after that setback with the Victory gaining the ascendancy.
“I thought that was the best 42 minutes we-ve ever played in Melbourne, but then copped two simple goals,” a disappointed Herbert said.
“We didn-t mark well enough in the box for the first one, and didn-t react quickly enough for the second.
“If our strikers got that time and space I think they would do the same (score).”
Herbert agreed that the experience of Paul Ifill and Manny Muscat was missed, but they will have to battle on without the pair for at least the next three games.
“Our depth is very limited from an experience point of view but the young ones who have come in have done well.
“We are trying to play a different type of game with the pace they bring to the side and we won-t be changing that.
“It isn-t going to happen overnight but I am determined to keep going in that vein.
“The league is getting better every season and you have to go with it.”
